The final day of the highly anticipated Raha Fest at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Kenya, descended into chaos yesterday as a group of youths, self-identified as Gen Z, forcefully breached security and entered the festival without paying for tickets.
The event, which was to be headlined by a star-studded lineup including Alikiba (King of Bongo) from Tanzania, Joshua Baraka from Uganda, Jamaican dancehall superstar Shenseea, and Kenyan artists Fathermoh and Harry Craze, took a disastrous turn when the unexpected intrusion occurred.
Security personnel struggled to contain the situation, and tear gas was eventually deployed to disperse the crowd. The sudden release of tear gas forced the immediate evacuation of Jamaican dancehall sensation Shenseea from the stage, just ten minutes into her highly anticipated performance.
The chaotic scenes that followed led to the abrupt end of the festival. Disgruntled attendees, many of whom had paid significant sums for their tickets, erupted in anger and demanded refunds. The situation quickly escalated, with widespread chaos and frustration gripping the venue.
This unfortunate turn of events casts a shadow over what was expected to be a memorable celebration of music and culture. The organizers of Raha Fest now face the daunting task of addressing the concerns of ticket holders and investigating the security breach that led to this disastrous outcome.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by event organizers in ensuring the safety and security of attendees while maintaining a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
